Blunder Down Under : What we saw in the Aussie Land

So the torture is finally over. India have lost the test series 0-4 and according to a disgruntled fan, they’ve been brown-washed by the hungry Aussies. Now, shocking as it may sound, this was the best Indian batting line up in recent memory (at least on paper) going against a relatively new and inexperienced Australian bowling side. So, naturally, the Indian juggernaut must have steamrolled the new kids. Well no. On the contrary, the Indians crumbled under pressure and only once could they muster up a score of 300 plus. Virat Kohli was the highest run getter in the Indian side with 300 runs (Clarke, by the way, scored more than that in a single innings). Same mistakes were repeated and same results ensued.

There was one player, however, who should’ve been given a chance to play. Not Rohit Sharma, but fellow compatriot Leander Paes. Seeing that he’s already in Australia and looking at his current form, the veteran could’ve been handy in Adelaide. After all, there isn’t much difference between him and Sehwag in terms of technique. Sorry Viru; had to be said.

“I think at least three or four players might have played probably their last Test in Australia. I am saying this because India’s next Test is six-eight months away. Now the selectors should pick youngsters who would serve the country in the years down the line,” – Sunil Gavaskar. Now even though Mr. Gavaskar refuses to name the players, we all know who they are. The holy trinity has been found wanting in Australia.

Sachin Tendulkar – He needs to get the hundred out of the way. He tried valiantly in the first two matches but found no support. The Aussies managed to contain him successfully, and this led to errors in judgement on the master’s part.

Rahul Dravid – ‘The Wall’ reminded me of the cracking Mullaperiyar dam down south. Being bowled 6 times in 4 matches wouldn’t please the man who prides himself on his defence. After a good series in England, Dravid seems to have lost the plot again. Mr. Dependable needs to (I can’t believe I’m saying this) work on his technique if he wants to play a few more years.

V.V.S. Laxman – the second innings saviour looked utterly confounded from the get go. His age and fatigue seem to be catching up to him. A mere shadow of the man the Aussies fear, Laxman needs to come up with some miraculous knocks in order to avoid the boot.

Amidst all the negativity and criticism, two youngsters provided a ray of hope for the future. India seems to have finally found a new ball bowler who isn’t fragile. With big muscles and a bigger heart, Umesh Yadav kept running in throughout the series and showed promise in testing conditions. Virat Kohli justified his inclusion in the side with a fighting 70 odd in the Perth test followed by a brilliant century in Adelaide. Enthusiastic fingers and desi expletives aside, Kohli looks ready for a permanent spot in the test side for the coming years.

Even though he does not have the wickets to show for it, Ashwin should’ve learnt a lot by bowling to the likes of Ponting and Clarke. He’s going to be the premier spinner in the Indian side and it’s good that he’s had a tough outing. The turbanator, meanwhile, seems to have found his calling in a pro-wrestling show on television.

Many critics have made BCCI the target of their sarcastic jibes and have called attention towards a systemic failure which rots Indian cricket. The veracity of their statements can’t be questioned. A quick fire remedy would be cancelling the IPL for one season and sending all the youngsters to play county cricket in England. It worked wonders for Zaheer Khan, so why not the future players?

Of course this is wishful thinking as the BCCI would never tear up its own lottery ticket. And like it or not, Twenty 20 IS the future of cricket in India. Unfortunately, great bowlers aren’t created through the shorter format of the game.

According to BCCI president N.Srinivasan –“Next New Zealand is coming to India and it will be followed by England and Australia. We will beat these three teams on our own soil. They cannot beat us here and we will feel very happy.” Such short-sighted comments and bureaucratic complacency are the bane of Indian cricket today. The childish retorts that officials have made point towards their incompetence and lack of respect for the game. In order to salvage some pride, the BCCI, the captain and the players have to work collectively towards delivering better performances in the next overseas tour. The BCCI’s political clout would ensure that India don’t drop in the rankings. They would fix a home series with Bangladesh or West Indies, making India ascend again. These hollow tactics undermine the integrity of the players and let down the true cricket fan. Some radical steps are called for in the upcoming future in order to restore the pride of the national cricket team.